• Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Topic: String Gauge

Alright so soon I'll be getting my new LP and I'll probably get a bunch of strings with it as well. It's a lot cheaper if I buy strings in bulk but I can't make up my mind on the gauge. On my last LP I ran 10s ernie ball, which felt fine. However now that I don't have a les paul I still play 10s, cept on my stratocaster. As you guys know the longer scale length makes them harder to bend. I've gotten used to 10s on a strat so 10s on a LP would feel to light, I think I'll have to step up to 11s but the question is, while I'm at it, should I go for 11-52? 
I'm afraid 11-52 might feel to heavy and if I buy in bulk I'll get screwed smile But if they don't feel heavy then I'm missing out on tone hmm

What are your opinions?

  • From: The Gates of Delerium
  • Registered: 2008-05-07
  • Posts: 1,412

Re: String Gauge

Whatever sounds and feels good. It's a lot easier to bend with lighter strings. Joe uses the beefy slinkys to help get the tone he likes but also top wraps them to make the bending easier. I went to the 11-54s on my LPs as I like the sound, but still have the 9-42s on the Strat. Ricks come with 10-42s and I'm sticking with those for the "jangle", plus with the thin necks I don't want to change the string gauges and have to screw around with truss rod adjustments.

Major Tom to ground control...

3 Reply by ZampraZ (edited by ZampraZ 2009-07-25 21:41:41)

  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: String Gauge

So how do 11-54 feel vs regular 11-48?

Yeah I also topwrap. But 11s on a LP + topwrap can't be worse than 10s on a strat right? (this strat is particularly hard to bend also)

  • mitch
  • mitch
  • Gold Member
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  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 92

Re: String Gauge

ZampraZ wrote:

So how do 11-54 feel vs regular 11-48?

Yeah I also topwrap. But 11s on a LP + topwrap can't be worse than 10s on a strat right? (this strat is particularly hard to bend also)

I highly recommend the David Gilmour GHS Boomers Les Paul strings- they're a little heavier than standard 10-46 but still have that flexibility on the top E-G strings- they're gauged 10.5, 13, 17, 30, 40, and 50... I use them on both my Les Pauls (top wrapped of course) and having a little more beef in the low end works well for me without being un-duly stiff to bend...

This don't look like no express way to me...
  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: String Gauge

But do you guys think 10s on a hardtobend-strat can be about the same as 11s on a top-wrapped LP?

  • From: Germany / Hamburg
  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 494

Re: String Gauge

I'm using 11-52 Dean Markley Strings on my Strat, and recently I changed the strings on my Les Paul from 10-46 to 11-52s.
Maybe I'm already familiar with the 11-52s, but I have to tell that no real difference for me to use the 11-52 instead of the 10-46 - only in the sound roll

Here are my tabbed songs by "Smokin' Joe": http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7236
I LIKE MUSIC! big_smile big_smile big_smile

7 Reply by ZampraZ (edited by ZampraZ 2009-07-26 15:09:46)

  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: String Gauge

Yeah. 10s were like air on a les paul, 11s probably no biggie and might as well try 11-52. I guess I'll just buy the guitar, buy a pack of 11s and a pack of 11-52 and see what I like best and buy a big-pack after that

Is it these:
http://www.thomann.de/se/dean_markley_2505a.htm

or these:
http://www.rock-it.nu/pages/resources/s … 15-110.jpg

both 11-52

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: String Gauge

11-52 are very tough I find. I use 11-48 and a half step down. I still seem to shock people with how heavy a gauge I use.
I'd suggest using 11-48.

  • Registered: 2009-07-03
  • Posts: 37

Re: String Gauge

I use 11-49 on my Strat and LP, and I don't find them too hard to bend etc.....but I  play like an animal smile btw. what is top wrap? I read about it, but I didnt saw a picture, video or something?

10 Reply by ZampraZ (edited by ZampraZ 2009-07-26 20:32:13)

  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: String Gauge

Guitar_thrill wrote:

I use 11-49 on my Strat and LP, and I don't find them too hard to bend etc.....but I  play like an animal smile btw. what is top wrap? I read about it, but I didnt saw a picture, video or something?

http://www.mylespaul.com/gallery/data/500/01r9e.jpg

You can see the strings are wrapped around the tail piece, this reduces the pressure, making the strings feel like they are of a lower gauge, or tuned down half step or so...

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: String Gauge

I'd honestly stick with 10's... I topwrap my 10's on all my Gibsons and LOVE them.

I run 11's on one strat, and 9's on my other strat. The one with 9's is much more of a pleasure to play, and the one with 11's feels like struggle... but it sounds good. You can beat on it harder with thicker strings. I run 11's on my acoustics instead of 12's. The more I play with my strat that has 9's on it, but more I think that string guage is over-hyped. Yes, I can hear a difference in tone, but both have their goods and bads.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2009-03-18
  • Posts: 30

Re: String Gauge

It's going to be a trade off. If you want the tone then heavier strings are in order. 11s are that bad to bend but i like to fight the guitar. I go between DR Pure Blues 11s and Rotosound 11s whick i'm really digging here lately. The Rotos just sound and feel really good be me.

  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: String Gauge

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I'd honestly stick with 10's... I topwrap my 10's on all my Gibsons and LOVE them.

I run 11's on one strat, and 9's on my other strat. The one with 9's is much more of a pleasure to play, and the one with 11's feels like struggle... but it sounds good. You can beat on it harder with thicker strings. I run 11's on my acoustics instead of 12's. The more I play with my strat that has 9's on it, but more I think that string guage is over-hyped. Yes, I can hear a difference in tone, but both have their goods and bads.


I gues it varies from person to person, but 10s are air for me, I played 12s when I was 12 so 11s will be no problemo smile

  • Registered: 2009-07-03
  • Posts: 37

Re: String Gauge

@ Zampraz tnx for the picture......
anyway I havent played my LP for about two weeks (it wasn't home), and now that I got it back, it has 10s, and strat has 11s, I feel like  I have spaghetti's on LP big_smile it's just so easy, I almost dont feel the strings, I guess I'll go for at least 11s for LP, because 11s on strat are pretty OK for me, and LP has smaller tension, so it is even easier to play....maybe I shoud try 12s?

15 Reply by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2009-07-28 05:57:15)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: String Gauge

I've played strings all the way up to .013s tuned to standard to be like SRV/KWS and at that point it wasn't even fun to play the guitar.  I see some of these posts about "thick strings for tone" and how strong some guys fingers are that they can play with them...I guess if you want arthritis at an early age and can afford to refret your guitars every year or so then go right ahead.  Some of the most worshiped "tone gods" on the planet use .08s, .09s, and .10s.  It's all about what you are comfortable with and suit your playing best.  While I like the the tone and feel of .011s, they began to chew up my frets and fingers after a while.  I found .09s to be great feeling but way too thin sounding and prone to breakage.  I am very happy with .010s most of the time.  They offer me the best overall feel, tone, and durability.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-23
  • Posts: 553

Re: String Gauge

I play Ernie Ball 10s on my strat and 11s on my Les Paul and Gigliotti.
But we tuned our instruments a semi tone down to Eb to support the singer.
That makes it also easier to bend strings.
I alo tried the "telephone cables" in the past and cant confirm the better tone
they provide. The is no sacrifice by using just 10s.

Alex

...it's a musical journey
www.u2-experience.de

Stratovari's Website

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: String Gauge

I have 9s on 1 strat and hybrid 10-52 on another and they both feel the same different guitars sometimes seem to have a better feel than others, hybrid 10-52 do it for me. on my gibson, the heavier bottom strings are good for keeping aggressive playing in tune while the lighter top end make for easier bending. and that is also detuned 1/2 step for vocalist.

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: String Gauge

I don't believe 11s will be rough. 9s are gross to play for me, 10s are light on an LP, so 11s should be fine. I believe I have strong fingers. I'll probably buy a set of 11-52, 11-48 and see how they feel. If bad I'll just toss them